Connector assembly



Nov; 10, 1964 w. G. SCHINSKE 3,156,761

CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 26, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV ENT OR. IV/Z 1 64/11 6- 56/445/5 /6M4 MM Nov. 10, 1964 w. e. SCHINSKE 3,156,751

CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 26, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 i4 l/IIIIIIIi/l/lo III/[III IIII II/ 4 id/hr KW/er Nov. 10, 1964 Filed NOV. 26, 1962 W. G. SCHINSKE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR /V// Z M017 6. WW/Viki} peril t t r r gid s we United htates Eaten 3,156,7fil

(IGNNEQTUR A William G, Sehinsire, Sycamore, Ill assignor to Ideal Industries, Inc, Sycamore, Ill, a corperatien ot' Delaware Filed Nov. 26, I962, Ser. No, 240,133 22 Claims. (El. ite s? This is a continuation-in-part of Serial No. 129,627, filed August 7, 1961, now abandoned, and of Serial No. 831,909, filed August 5, 1959, now forfeited, which was a continuation of Serial No. 685,903, filed September 24, 1957, now forfeited, which was a continuation-in-part of Serial No. 636,096, filed January 24, 1957, now Patent No. 3,075,038, issued January 22, 1963.

This invention is in the field of connectors and is a new and improved insulating cap with a connection structure, constructed and arranged to be turned down or screwed over the stripped ends of a plurality of electric wires, for example two or more, either stranded and/ or solid, of the same or different sizes, or otherwise.

A primary object of the invention is a new and improved electrical connector of the screw-on type.

Another object is a connector arranged to simultaneously connect and insulate wires carrying either high or low voltages.

Another object is a connector which will not work off of the wires, due to vibration or otherwise, after it has been screwed on.

Another object is a connector that is tamperproof.

Another object is a connector which cannot be screwed oil once it has been fully screwed onto the Wires.

Another object is a connector constructed so that the user can tell when it is fully mounted.

Another object is a connector with means to allow the operator to remove the wires by proper manipulation.

Another object is an interlock in a connector which cooperates with connecting means to allow insertion and removal of electric wires from the connector.

Another object is means inside a connector to lock with opposed turns of a coil insert and thereby improve the insertion and removal of electrical wires.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the ensuing specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an axial section of one form of the connector;

FIGURE 2 is a variation;

FIGURE 3 is a further variation;

FIGURE 4 is still a further variation;

FIGURE 5 is an axial section of a further variation;

FIGURE 6 is the FIGURE 5 form in a different position of operation;

FIGURE 7 is a further variation;

FIGURE 8 is a different position of operation of the FIGURE 7 form;

FIGURE 9 is an axial section of a variation on the FIGURE 1 form;

FIGURE 10 is a different position of operation of the FIGURE 9 form;

FIGURE 11 is a section along line 11-11 of FIG- URE 9; and

FIGURE 12 is a section along line 12-l2 of FIG- URE 9.

In FIGURE 1, the connector is shown with a cap or insulation or cover which has been indicated generally at 10 and may include a generally cylindrical body or shell 12 closed at one end by an end wall 14 or the like, which is preferably integral with the cap and generally open at the other end at 16, providing what I shall refer to as a generally open central bore 18. The bore of the cap or shell houses or encloses a generally tapered coil wire spring or the like 20. For purposes of designation, this spring has a large end 22 and a small end 24. The large end 22 is disposed generally at the open end of the bore at I6 and terminates at as, while the small end extends back into the bore toward the end wall 14.

I may provide an enlarged or thickened portion 28 in the cap or shell generally at the open end. I prefer to make the cap or shell out of nylon, polyethylene, or any other suitable thermoplastic material which is tough but somewhat resilient and at the same time a good dielectric and suitable for high temperature use.

The inner surface of the bore may remain somewhat cylindrical but the intermediate or middle turns of the coil decrease in diameter or taper as at 29 so that a clearance or spacing is provided at fill throughout the majority or a substantial portion of the coil with respect to the inner surface of the cap.

At a suitable point, preferably adjacent the small end of the coil 24, I provide an expanded and possibly partially distended turn 32 which has a mean diameter approximately the same as the large end 22 of the coil but it may vary somewhat. This expanded turn serves as a guide or pilot for the small end or" the coil. In any event, the important point is that this expanded turn 32 pilots the small end and centers it relative to the axial bore of the cap. Also, the spacing as is not totally necessary, and the spring could have the same pitch through out its length.

The end 34 of the wire may be distended slightly or pulled away from the normal turns of the coil as at as and an abutment 33 is provided in the shell, preferably but not necessarily integral with the side walls and end wall, to provide a shoulder or anchor for the end of the coil. This abutment or shoulder may be of any suitable formation but I prefer that it opposes the end of the coil to resist the normal rotative tendency of the coil, when the connector is being turned down over the stripped ends of the plurality of wires, to function as an anchor preventing relative rotation. The abutment might be a separate insert but I find it easier to mold it as an integral part. The end 34 of the coil might be blunt, turned in or back, or otherwise suitably shaped to engage the abutment regardless of its particular size, shape, or disposition.

The open end 16 of the cap is provided with an enlarged, preferably integral, skirt which is preferably cylindrical and well rounded at 42 where it joins the shell or cap to function as a guide or tunnel for the entering stripped ends of the wires. The skirt 4% may be consid ered a part of the cap or shell. The cap and skirt are preferably both formed of nylon or the like. The skirt should be extended sufiiciently axially to shield the wires against arcing to a ground by providing a sufiiciently extended dielectric path so that the cap can be used for either high or low voltage installations.

Outstanding from the skirt I may provide one or more ears 4%, as in the FIGURE 3 form, which are preferably integral and also of nylon or the like. I have only shown two such ears but more could be used. The point is that these ears provide leverage to enable an operator to manually turn the cap down over the wires without undue effort. At the same time, the cap could be arranged for automatic hopper feeding or machine assembly. I may also provide longitudinal ribs 46 positioned in quadrants or otherwise around the sides of the cap or shell, two of which may flow into the ears and the other two may terminate with the skirt, or the outside of the cap might be provided instead with a suitable knurling.

The end wall 14 forming the closed end of the bore is offset at 43 in all forms to provide a socket or cavity 50 behind the abutment 3e so that the stripped ends of the wires may extend somewhat beyond the abutment.

The material of the cap and particularly the material els .9 of the end wall 14 may be transparent or relatively translucent so that the operator can tell when the stripped ends of the wires are fully seated by observing them through the end wall 14. I might also make the coil insert a dis tinctly different color from the color of the Wires to be connected so that the operator could easily tell the difference. For example, if the wires to be connected are copper and have a golden color, the coil spring might have a zinc or silver color, and vice versa. If the wires to be connected are aluminum, the coil spring insert might be copper plated.

In addition, the socket Ell allows the wire combination to move fully into the bore of the connector. If the wire of the combination are misaligned or not bunched or collected properly so that one extends out beyond the others, nevertheless, the socket d provides sutficient penetration so that the joint or connection will be tight, and all wires will be fully engaged, the short as well as the long.

Generally, at the point of junction between the cap and the skirt, but not necessarily located directly at that point, I provide a shoulder or collar 52 which may be continuous or in disconnected segments. As shown, the length of the spring 20 in the cap is slightly less than the distance from the abutment 23 in the rear to the shoulder or collar 52 at the open end. Therefore, the spring does not cover the entire distance and a predetermined gap 54 is provided. The large end of the spring 22 may have a diameter providing a relatively loose fit with the inside of the cap or a compression fit may be used, if desired. The spacing 54 provides a loose or sloppy fit longitudinally. When the stripped ends of the wires are inserted, they engage the diminishing bore of the coil spring and force it against the rear of the cap, thereby bringing the end 34 into engagement with the abutment 38. As the operator turns the cap, the stripped ends of the wires will be brought against the end Wall 14. As the operator continues to turn the cap, the coil spring will thread forward because the coils will dig into and groove the wires, which at this point are jammed against the rear wall. After a substantial portion of a turn or possibly a full turn, the end 34- of the coil will come off of the abutment or ledge 38. The cap and spring are dimensioned so that approximately at the same time that the end 34 comes off of its ledge, the front end of the coil at 22 may contact the shoulder or collar 52. Or it might be otherwise. In any event, the important point is that the shoulder 52 pre- 'back the cap off of the stripped ends of the Wires, and

the connector cannot be tampered with. The position of a fully seated connector is shown in FIGURE 3.

In FIGURE 2, I have shown a variation which, instead of having an integral abutment or shoulder, as at 38 in FIGURE 1, has an insert. On occasion, the plastic, be it nylon or any suitable insulating material, will not stand up to the forces caused by screwing the spring down over the stripped ends of the wires. In this modification, the shell or body 56 with its end wall 58 is offset, as at 60, to provide the pocket or socket 62', as in the previous forms, but an integral abutment is not used. Rather, I insert a metal ring 64 which may have a plurality of teeth or serrations on its outer edge at 66 with an open center at 6? to allow the ends of the wires to project through and into the socket 62 to contact the back wall. I may dispose one or more abutments or projections 7t? around the ring and if three or four are used a ratchet type action may be employed when turning the spring down over the stripped ends of the wires. The surface '72 of the central bore or hole through the ring may have any suitable configuration and I have merely shown it as cylindrical.

The important point is that a metal ring insert is inserted through the front opening and embedded in the rear Wall. The ring should be so arranged and secured in the housing that it will not shake loose prior to the connectors being used. The metal ring will stand up to the forces and wear inflicted on it by the end 34 of the spring, whereas in certain situations the nylon abutment might give or be otherwise damaged or worn away.

It should be understood that the metal insert of FIG- URE 2 may be used in either the FIGURE 1 or the FIG- URE 2 form, and in many situations, depending upon the forces involved, a separate metal insert is not necessary. In that case, the abutment for driving the spring may be merely molded as an integral part of the connector.

In any of these forms, the spring may be inserted in the shell by screwing the insulating shell down over the spring in which case the abutment or shoulder or flange 52. will function as a thread. In certain situations, the insulating cap may have to be heated so that it will expand while the spring is inserted and contract when it cools to hold the spring in. It may often be advisable, on occasion, to make the shoulder or flange 52 as a separate metal insert, but I prefer that the flange be an integral molded part of the shell.

I might also form the abutment and end Wall as a separate piece of a material sufficiently durable and hard to stand up to the force of the coil. The separate piece could be fused, sealed or otherwise connected to the cap or shell.

I might also want to provide a fixture tap-off and in FIGURE 4 the end wall '74 may be provided with a projection '75 which may be generally cylindrical or otherwise. The interior may be generally open at '78 and provided with an end or closing wall 80. In use an additional wire for a fixture might be inserted through the bore '73 after the end wall has been snipped off with electricians pliers or the like. The connector should be made according to the species of either FIGURES 1 or 2, and the tap-off wire could project through the bore 7% but, nevertheless, be an integral part of the finished connection.

The insert ring in FIGURE 2 could be any material which would stand up better than the nylon cap. For example, it might be a harder plastic or any suitable metal. I have shown the center of the ring open, as at as in FIGURE 2, but it might be a solid disk so that the ends of the wires would contact the insert and not the rear wall 58. In such a case, the disk could have serrated edges and might be quite thin, for example on the order of .010" in thickness. At any suitable location, such a disk could be wrinkled or offset to provide a shoulder to contact the end 34 of the coil without cutting or splitting the disk.

While I have shown an enlarged turn at 32 in FIGURE 1, at the small end of the coil, I might use more than one, for example two or three.

I prefer that the outside diameter of the insert, be it a ring as shown in FIGURE 2 or a disk as mentioned above, be less than the diameter of the opening through the flange 52 so that the insert may be easily inserted by automatic equipment.

In the form shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, the connector has a shell 82 similar to that shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, with an abutment 84 near the rear end or at the end wall 86 of the shell and a shoulder or ridge d8 toward the front end. The coil 9d, in this form, may have its front end 92 against or in contact with the shoulder 88 tapering therebehind to a throat 94 with one or more expanded turns 96 behind the throat to center the coil with the end 98 resting on the abutment.

In this form, shown in FIGURE 5, the turns of the coil are expanded or more widely spaced. This might be looked at as the FIGURE 1 form except that the coil has been pulled out or distended so that the coils are spaced more widely from each other.

The result of this is illustrated in FIGURE 6 where the stripped ends of the Wires are partially inserted. When the ends of the wires hit the narrowing coil, additional axial thrust applied by the operator to turn the coil down on the wires will cause the turns of the coil, say from the point of contact It'll) with the stripped ends rearwardly, to be compressed somewhat, so that the front end 92 moves out of contact with the front shoulder 88. Additional turning will cause the coil to thread on to the stripped ends and an action similar to FIGURES 1 through 4 will result, namely when the ends of the wires hit the. end wall 86, the coil will thread forward until the end 98 comes off of the abutment 84 to disengage or release the interlock. Thereafter, the cap may be turned in either direction without rotating the coil, thereby making the connection tamperproof.

In the FIGURE 7 form, the cap 102 and coil 1&4 may be considered generally the same in configuration and proportion to FIGURE 5, except that the turns of the coil are not distended. It will be noted that the front end 1% of the coil is in engagement, or approximately so, with the continuous ridge 108, at the same time that the rear end 11% is in engagement with the abutment 11.6.. This connector might be considered to be designed specifically for what I shall term the largest combinations of wires, and the action is as shown in FIGURE 8.

When a so-called larger combination of wires is inserted, the throat, designated generally 114 in FIGURE 7, of the coil will expand. In FIGURE 8, I have shown the throat expanded to what might be considered the maximum amount so that the coil is practically cylindrical. This will cause, to a degree, an unwinding of the coil, which will shorten it axially. The result is that as the cap and coil are turned down on the wires, the coil will unwind somewhat until the wires hit the end wall. During the unwinding period, the coil may unwind, for example approximately one full turn. This means that it will be axially shortened one pitch, approximately equal to the diameter of the coil wire plus whatever spacing exists between adjacent turns.

These figures are merely given as an example and any satisfactory amount of shortening would be used. In any event, the coil will be shortened and since the ends of the wires hit the end wall of the cap and turning is continued, the coil will thread forward and the end will come off of the abutment 112, thereby releasing the interlock. Thereafter, the cap can be turned in either direction without rotating the coil, thereby making the connection tamperproof.

The connectors shown in FIGURES through 8 do not require a space 54 between the front end of the coil and the shoulder 88, as in FIGURE 1, when the parts are in their relaxed or free condition.

In the form shown in FIGURE 9, which is similar to FIGURE 1, I have used the same reference numerals for the same parts or elements, with a few additions.

As before, a rear abutment 38 is provided in the shell, preferably but not necessarily integral with the side walls and end wall, to provide a shoulder or a ledge or an anchor for the end of the coil. The shell is provided with another abutment 114, at the front, preferably but not necessarily integral with the thickened portion in the side walls to provide another shoulder or ledge or anchor for the front end 26 of the large turn 22 of the coil in front of the cap. The abutment or ledge or shoulder may be of any suitable formation, but it is preferred that it have a suitable generally flat locking surface 116 to oppose and engage the end of the coil. The abutment may be a separate insert, but it is found easier to mold it directly into the cap. The front end 26 of the coil can be bent, turned in or back, or otherwise suitably shaped to engage the abutment 114- regradless of its particular shape, size or disposition.

I have shown the rear abutment 38 approximate to the rear wall and the side wall having its locking surface positioned oppositely to the locking surface 116 of the front abutment 114 located approximate to the open end of the connector cap. This opposed disposition of the locking surfaces on the rear and front abutments is best seen in FIGURES l1 and 12. The locking or abutting surfaces coact with the corresponding front and rear turns of the wire coil.

The action of turning the cap down on the stripped ends of a plurality of electric wires may be the same as set forth previously in connection with FIGURE 1. The engagement of the ends of the Wires with the rear wall 14 followed by continued turning of the cap by the operator will cause the wire coil to thread forward on the wires and after a substantial portion of a turn, or possibly a full turn, or more, the rear end 34 of the coil will come off of the rear abutment of the ledge 38. The cap and coil are dimensioned so that when the rear of the coil at 34 comes off of its abutment at 38, the front of the coil is still out of contact with its abutment 114. Once the connector has been fully turned down on the wires, the end 34 will come off of its ledge and thereafter the cap may be turned in either direction without affecting the position of the coil. If the operator wants to back the cap elf of the stripped ends of the wires, he has merely to pull the wires and the coil forwardly so that the large turn 22 at the front end abuts against the shoulder or ledge 114. Thereafter, turning of the wires relative to the cap, or the cap relative to the wires, to effect an unscrewing action, will force the end 26 against the front abutment 114-, and a continued unscrewing motion will cause the coil and cap to be held together so that the wires may be removed. In effect, the rear ratcheting arrangement is duplicated at the front, except reversed, with a spacing such that either one or the other may be engaged but not both at the same time. Thus, a connection that is otherwise tamperproof, for example to children, may be removed by someone who knows what he is doing.

Everything said previously about the rear abutment 3%, such as being made on a separate insert with teeth to dig into the side walls of the cap, etc. may be true of the front abutment.

The use, operation and function of my invention are as follows:

This connector assembly takes on the character of an insulating cap with a coil wire in the bore. I provide an interlock between the cap and coil so that when the assembly is being screwed down on the stripped ends of the wires, the coil will be turned at the same time that the cap is rotated. But as soon as the stripped ends of the wires engage the rear wall or closed end wall of the cap and the coil is fully seated on the wires, I provide a release which is responsive to the wire ends engaging the end wall of the cap. This release disconnects the cap and coil and renders the interlock ineffective so that the cap may be freely turned in either direction without unscrewing the coil. The release, in FIGURE 1, takes the form of the distance from the interlock 34 and 38 to the forward shoulder 52 being greater than the axial length of the coil. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 3, when the stripped ends of the wires engage the end wall 14 of the cap, the coil responds to this and walks forward or screws itself forward on the stripped ends of the wires. The release referred to takes the form of structural spacing which releases or allows or permits the coil to move forward so that the interlock 34 and 38 will disengage or become ineffective. As shown in FIGURE 3, the cap may be thereafter turned in either direction and the coil will not be rotated. The forward shoulder 52, which is shown as continuous, normally prevents the coil from comin out of the cap at all times.

The cap or shell is intended both as a cover or insulation and as a wrench. I prefer that the cap, skirt and cars all be formed in egrally or molded as one piece, but they might be oth rwise for certain requirements. Once the unit is screwed down on the wires and firmly seated, the ears are of such a size, shape and dimension that they can be cut oil. For example, I find it practical to dimension the cars so that the cutting blade on a conventional pair of electricians pliers can be used to snip them off to provide more room in a conduit box, if such ears are used.

The spring expands when it is turned down over the Wires, particularly the tapered portion 29, but I prefer that it remain as rigid as possible to make a low resistance electric joint.

The smallest combination of wires will expand the tapered or conical portion 29 somewhat, particularly at its small end 2-4, just before the enlarged turn 32. The largest combination of wires shown will expand practically or substantially the entire length of the tapered or conical portion 29. In fact, the spring will become substantially cylindrical and may engage the wall of the housing or shell 18 practically throughout its entire length. When the spring expands laterally, it contracts in length. In either case, the large end of the spring decreases somewhat in size when it is screwed down on the wires. Regardless of the combination of wires used, the wires will extend the same distance into the cap. The large loop or expanded turn 32 may not interlock with the wires but rather may serve merely as a centering means. I have stated that the cap is preferably made of nylon but it could be otherwise, so long as the material is a suitable insulation and has suitable rigidity to prevent the spring from coming out. Additionally, the connection or joint will not change with the heat caused by the flow of electric current.

In FIGUREl, the dimensioning of the spring and the connector is important. The clearance in axial length should be such that the end El iof the coil is forced off or out of contact with its abutment or shoulder either ahead of or at the same time that the large end of the spring hits the shoulder 52 so that thereafter the cap can be turned in either direction without turning the spring or affecting the connection.

When the wires are fully inserted and contact the back wall forcing the spring forward so that the rear end comes off of the abutment, further turning or rotation of the shell will not drive the spring on the wires. The operator will clearly feel the give and will realize that the connector is fully seated. Thereafter, the shell may be turned in either direction and will have no effect on the connection. Additionally, the connector cannot be backed off of the ends of the wires which makes the finished connection completely tamperproof.

The FIGURE 5 form might be looked upon as about the same as or similar to the FIGURE 1 form, except that the coil has been pulled out or distended so that the turns are spaced more widely from each other. The result is that when the stripped ends of the wires are partially inserted and axial pressure is applied, the rear portion of the coil will be compressed, causing the front port1on to come out of contact with the shoulder 88. This then automatically provides the spacing which is a part of the release.

In the FIGURE 7 form, the expanding of the throat of the coil causes it to shorten in axial length, thereby allowing the rear end of the coil, as at Tilt), to come off of the abutment, thus effecting the release.

The form shown in FIGURE 9, which is the reverse action, may be used with anyone of the previous forms. Also, in the various forms, while I have shown one abutment at the rear, as at 38 in FIGURE 1, I may provide a plurality of abutments to obtain a ratcheting action. The same is true of the front abutment 114-.

While I have shown and described a preferred form and suggested several modifications of my invention, it should be understood that numerous additional modifications, substitutions, alterations and changes may be made without departing from the inventions fundamental theme. For example, I have shown the wire of the coil as having a circular cross section and it could be square or any other suitable shape. The dimensions of the parts are not important except when indicated. I have mentioned nylon, but the material of the cap might be otherwise. The abutment or shoulder might be a separate insert but I prefer that it be integral. With these and other modifications in mind, I wish that the invention be unrestricted, except as by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a connector assembly for joining and connecting the stripped ends of a plurality of electric wires or the like, a generally cylindrical shell with a generally smooth central bore open at one end and closed at the other by an end wall, a generally tapered wire coil in the bore, the large end of the coil being toward the open end of the bore, the small end of the coil extending into the bore toward the end wall and being out of contact with the shell throughout a substantial portion of its length, an abutment in the shel engaging the small end of the coil, and a shoulder in the shell opposing the large end of the coil to hold the coil in the shell, the axial distance from the shoulder to the abutment being sufficiently greater than the original length of the initially relaxed coil so that the coil may move axially relative to the shell when the connector assembly is turned down over the stripped ends of a plurality of wires forcing the end of the coil out of engagement with the abutment when the wires are fully inserted.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a socket in the end wall of the shell providing a recess into which the stripped ends of the wires may extend when a connection is made.

3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the abutment and end wall are both integral with the shell.

4. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the shoulder is continuous.

5. In a connector assembly for joining the stripped ends of two or more electric wires or the like, a generally cylindrical cap with a generally smooth central bore open at one end and closed by an end wall at the other end, a wire coil in said here, and a disconnectable rotative, non-axial interlock between said cap and a first end of said coil, said interlock including a iirst means in the bore engaging said first end of the coil for connecting the coil to the cap when the cap and coil are being turned down on the stripped ends of the wires, and a second means in the cap opposing the other end of the coil to hold said coil in the cap, the axial distance between said first and second means being sufficiently greater than the original length of the initially relaxed coil so that the coil may move axially relative to the cap and away from said first means when the wire ends engage the end wall of the cap to disconnect the cap and coil and to render the interlock ineffective when the coil is fully seated on the stripped ends of the wires so that the cap and coil will be disconnected and the cap may be freely turned in either direction without affecting the coil, but prior thereto the cap and coil will be rotatably interlocked so that rotation of the cap imparts rotation to the coil.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which the coil is tapered, the large end of the coil being toward the open end of the cap, the small end of the coil extending into the bore toward the end wall and said coil being out of contact with the cap throughout a substantial portion of its length.

7. The structure of claim 6 further characterized by and including an abutment in the cap for engaging the small end of the coil, and a shoulder in the cap opposing the large end of the coil to hold the coil in the cap.

8. The structure of claim 7 further characterized by and including a socket in the end wall of the cap to receive the stripped ends of the wires.

9. The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that the abutment and the end wall are integral with the 10. The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that the abutment includes a separate metal insert.

11. in a connector assembly for joining the stripped ends of two or more electric wires or the like, a generally cylindrical cap with a generally central bore open at one end and closed by an end wall at the other end, a Wire coil in the bore, an interlock between the cap and coil, including means in the bore engaging the coil for connecting the coil to the cap when the cap and coil are being turned down on the stripped ends of the wires, means for releasing the coil from the cap after the wire ends engage the end Wall of the cap and turning of the cap is continued so that the cap may be freely turned in either direction thereafter without unscrewing the coil from the Wire ends, and means for normally preventing the coil from coming out of the cap at all times.

12. The structure of claim 11 in which the central bore of the cap is generally smooth and further characterized in that the coil is tapered, the large end of the coil being forward toward the open end of the bore, the small end of the coil extending into the bore toward the end wall and being out of contact with the shell throughout a substantial portion of its length, an abutment in the shell engaging the small end of the coil, and a shoulder in the shell opposing the large end of the coil to hold the coil in the shell, the axial distance from the shoulder to the abutment being sufficiently greater than the original length of the initially relaxed coil so that the coil may move axially relative to the shell when the connector assembly is turned down over the stripped ends of a plurality of wires thereby forcing the end of the coil out of engageent with the abutment when the wires are fully inserted.

13. The structure of claim 11 further characterized by and including means responsive to a reversal of axial pressure between the connector assembly and the wires for interlocking the coil and cap so that when the cap is turned in the unscrewing direction, the cap and coil may be removed from the Wires.

14. The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that the means for releasing the coil includes the turns of the coil being distended somewhat and spaced from each other so that when the stripped ends of the wires are inserted and axial pressure is applied in a direction tending to force the cap and coil down on the stripped ends of the wires, at least the rear portion of the coil may be compressed as the turns thereof close up, thereby providing spacing between the front end of the coil and the means for normally preventing the coil from coming out of the cap.

15. The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that the means for releasing the coil from the cap in cludes at least some of the turns of the coil at a location between the ends thereof being on a reduced diameter, when in a free state, such that when the stripped ends of the wires are inserted and the cap and coil are turned down on them, the reduced diameter coils will be expanded, resulting in an unwinding action on the coil, thereby shortening its length such that the front end of the coil will become spaced somewhat from the means for normally preventing the coil from coming out of the cap.

16. In a connector assembly for joining and connecting the stripped ends of a plurality of wires and providing for the removal of such wires from the connector assembly, a generally cylindrical shell with a generally central bore open at one end and closed at the other end by an end wall, a wire coil in the bore, a rear interlock between the cap and the coil including means in the rear portion of the bore for engaging and connecting the coil to the cap when the cap and coil are being turned down on the stripped ends of wires, a front interlock between the cap and the coil including means in the front portion or" the bore for engaging and connecting the coil to the cap when the stripped ends of the wires are being removed from the cap and the coil, the distance between the front and rear interlocks being greater than the axial length of the coil so the coil may be disengaged from the cap, and means for normally preventing the coil from coming out of the cap at all times.

17. In a connector assembly for joining the stripped ends of two or more electrical wires and providing for the removal or" such Wires from the connector assembly, a generally cylindrical cap with a generally smooth central bore open at one end and closed at the other end by an end wall, a wire coil in said bore, a rear disconnectable, rotative interlock between the cap and the rear turn in said coil, a front, disconnectable, rotative interlock between the cap and the front turn of the coil, a stop in the cap intermediate the open end and the front interlock to hold the coil in the cap, and the axial distance between the front and rear interlock being greater than the axial length of the coil.

18. In a connector assembly for joining the stripped ends of two or more electrical wires and providing for the removal of such wires from the connector assembly, a generally cylindrical cap with a generally smooth central bore open at one end and closed at the other end by an end wall, a wire coil in said bore, a rear abutment projecting from the cap near the rear end wall, a front abutment projecting from the cap near the open front end, a stop intermediate the open end and the front abutment to hold the coil within the cap, and the axial distance between the front and rear abutments being greater than the axial length of the coil.

19. In a connector assembly for joining and connecting stripped ends of a plurality of electric wires and providing for the removal of such Wires from the connector assembly, a generally cylindrical shell with a generally smooth central bore open at one end and closed at the other end by an end wall, a generally tapered wire coil in the bore, a substantial portion of the coil length being out of contact with the shell, a rear locking means to interlock the coil within the bore near the end wall, and a front locking means to interlock the coil within the bore near the open end, the axial distance between the rear and front interlocks being greater than the axial length of the coil.

20. A connector cap as in claim 19 further characterized in that the rear and the front locking means are abutments projecting from the side walls into the bore of the cap.

21. The connector cap as in claim 19 further characterized by and including a stop projecting from the side Walls into the bore near the front interlock to hold the coil within the bore.

22. The connector cap of claim 19 further characterized in that the connector cap is made of insulating material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

11. IN A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR JOINING THE STRIPPED ENDS OF TWO OR MORE ELECTRIC WIRES OR THE LIKE, A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL CAP WITH A GENERALLY CENTRAL BORE OPEN AT ONE END AND CLOSED BY AN END WALL AT THE OTHER END, A WIRE COIL IN THE BORE, AN INTERLOCK BETWEEN THE CAP AND COIL, INCLUDING MEANS IN THE BORE ENGAGING THE COIL FOR CONNECTING THE COIL TO THE CAP WHEN THE CAP AND COIL ARE BEING TURNED DOWN ON THE STRIPPED ENDS OF THE WIRES, MEANS FOR RELEASING THE COIL FROM THE CAP AFTER THE WIRE ENDS ENGAGE THE END WALL OF THE CAP AND TURNING OF THE CAP IS CONTINUED SO THAT THE CAP MAY BE FREELY TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION THEREAFTER WITHOUT UNSCREWING THE COIL FROM THE WIRE ENDS, AND MEANS FOR NORMALLY PREVENTING THE COIL FROM COMING OUT OF THE CAP AT ALL TIMES. 